The Minnesota Vikings may move on from Adrian Peterson this offseason and some other moves the team may consider include a Mike Wallace or Larry Fitzgerald trade or signing if they are released, while Chris Johnson, Percy Harvin, Mark Ingram, Cecil Shorts and Jeremy Maclin are potential targets for Teddy Bridgewater and this comes as the team could consider releasing Greg Jennings.
The Vikings have a solid cap situation and they could save over $10 million by getting rid of Peterson. According to ESPN.com, Peterson now officially can be reinstated on April 15 when he applies, as he had another appeal of his suspension declined. Adam Schefter at ESPN.com writes that the return of Peterson to Minnesota is not a sure thing and while Mike Zimmer has expressed his support, it could come down to a business decision. Peterson has the highest cap number of any player at his position and that could lead to a move.
The Vikings have Jerick McKinnon coming off of a solid rookie season and he is a much cheaper option for the Vikings. Peterson is going to be 30 next season and while he has been productive, the team could look at moving on. Ben Goessling at ESPN.com looked at some potential moves for the Vikings this offseason and he mentioned that Greg Jennings could be a cap casualty. Jennings will likely be asked to take a pay cut and restructure his deal, but if he doesn't take a pay cut he could be let go.
According to Over the Cap, Jennings counts as $11 million on the salary cap on his $9 million salary and the team can save that much by designating him a June 1 release. If that happens, the team likely will look at a WR in the draft and they also could check out the free agent market. Goessling was asked about trades as well and while Larry Fitzgerald or Mike Wallace could be available, they will not be options unless their teams release them. Goessling writes that each player is simply owed too much money to pull in a trade right now.
Fitzgerald could be a potential target if he is let go from the Cardinals, as he has ties to the Minnesota area and used to be a ball boy for the team as a kid. Fitzgerald is set to count for over $20 million on the salary cap and that is a number that the Cardinals likely cannot manage while building a winning team. Percy Harvin could be a target after the team traded him a couple years ago, as there is a new coaching regime in charge and he likely will be released by the Jets.
The Jets can save money since Harvin is making over $10 million next year and they also can help themselves with draft compensation. The team gave up a draft pick for Harvin and it will be a sixth round pick if he is not on the roster compared to a fourth round pick if he is. Speaking of the Jets, Chris Johnson could be a target if the team moves on from Peterson, as he is a player that likely will be released. Johnson counts for over $3 million on the cap next year and after rushing for just 663 yards in 16 games, he likely will be let go by the Jets after one season.
